Congratulations to our hero Joseph Schooling for winning a gold medal

Today is a great day for Singapore. Singaporeans from all walks of life rejoice in our only Gold medal won by a local true blue Singaporean in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Schooling’s historic performance breaking the 100m Butterfly record in the Olympic Games has done us proud. This came after 56 years. It’s the only Gold medal where we are proud of. Images of Schooling’s fantastic feat kept playing on the television and social media. No one can escape the euphoria surrounding that momentous event. It was a Schooling day indeed!

Every leap year (once in 4 years), the Olympic Games lasting 2 weeks are held in a different country. It is the most watched event on planet earth with billions glued to the box or keeping track via newspapers, radio and Internet. Even the World Cup did not garner such an immense interest. It is the time where nations pit against each other in the sporting arena for glory and honor witnessed by billions across the globe. It is also the time where glory is scored and history is made. The sweet victory of the winners and the despair of the vanquished are clearly displayed on their faces as the drama unfolds before our eyes. It is the only single most important international event that cuts across all barriers of race, color, creed or boundaries where talented young men and women from all nations compete ruthlessly for fame and immortality. As it is, so many surprises and unexpected hiccups already happened in the games.

Tiny Singapore; a little red dot with slightly 5 over million people sprung a surprise when Joseph Schooling clinched the Gold medal in the 100m butterfly swimming event. His win has brought all Singaporeans together. We are all united in our support for him. In the social media; irrespective of your political affiliations all express support and admiration for him. Sports can really unite a nation as this historic win has clearly demonstrated. His win has rallied us together as a nation.This morning, when I responded to a call at MacRitchie Reservoir picking up a group of Englishmen to a condominium at Kim Keat Close just behind the Hawker Centre, they were excited about our local boy having beaten the legendary American swimmer. They were happy for Singapore. The so many pax I picked up today were so proud of our only Gold medal win in the Olympic Games.

When I mentioned to a local Chinese that we had won a few silver medals since 1960, he was not pleased at all. According to him, there were only 2 medals i.e. In 1960 when Tan Howe Liang won the Silver medal in weight lighting and now the swimming Gold medal. He said in Mandarin, “拿别人的屁股做脸皮” not proud at all. He was referring to those table tennis players. I’m not going to elaborate further. I’ll just say that this time round it’s different cuz we could feel the pride in us when our boy sang Majulah Singapura when our flag was raised up high witnessed by billions around the world. They must be wondering where is this tiny little red dot that broke all previous 100m Butterfly records. We could feel the butterflies flying in our tummy indeed!

Creative netizens were quick to capitalize on Schooling’s name and his historic win. Below are some of the interesting creative messages.We know that the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of sports. Once you hit it there, the rest is history. Henceforth, our local boy Joseph Schooling will be sweeping all the Butterfly swimming medals in all other games i.e. Asian Games, SEA Games, ASEAN Games, International Meet etc. He will be Singapore’s gold mine in all these future sporting events. He’s only 21 yrs old. He’s got many more years to win for us many more gold medals. At such young age hitting instant stardom will come with a price. Hopefully, he could handle all the subsequent fallouts and remain steadfast in his swimming career to bring more glory for our country. Let’s pray that he’ll not be overwhelmed by this great success. It seems that at every Olympic Games, only Tan Howe Liang is mentioned. Now, we got another name to remember. Whatever rewards he’ll get, he really deserves it. He has done his National Service for Singapore by making history in that event.

“I hope his accent won’t get more phony still. (I’ve lived and worked in the States longer than Joseph Schooling but I haven’t got a phony accent.) Girls – especially gold diggers – will fall at his feet. Banks and insurance agents will want part of his prize money. Endorsement deals will come his way. The government and thick-skinned politicians like that shameless Lee Bee Wah will and have already claim credit. There will be a mad scramble as kiasu parents sign their kids up for swimming lessons. Some Singaporeans will behave as if they contributed to his success. Neighboring countries will make sarcastic remarks, as always. Perhaps one day he will replace that Ng Ser Miang and really add value. Political office may also be a possibility (just like the legendary footballer Pele?)”

Whatever it is, he has done us proud. We share in his victory as Singaporeans. He has thru’ his success united us as Singaporeans especially at that priceless moment when he sang our National Anthem with our flag raised up high at the Olympic Games. We wish him well and hope that he will bring us further glory.

The sense of pride as Singaporeans was equally felt when the most powerful nation on earth recently hosted a lavish state dinner for our PM in the White House. When PM sang Majulah Singapura we know we have come this far as a nation and our rightful place on earth. Our existence is assured and we will prevail forever earning our living as a tiny nation.

Hidup lah Singapura!

Majulah Singapura!

Update:

For the first time in Singapore’s history, the Prime Minister will move a motion in Parliament to recognize a sportsperson for outstanding results at the Olympic Games. On Monday’s Parliament sitting, Joseph Schooling will be thus honored for his historic performance, breaking the Olympic Games butterfly swimming record, and giving Singapore it’s first-ever Olympic gold.